So our band had a show down in D.C. this weekend and I got stuck driving.  I hate driving in DC.  My normal problem is all the streets are one way and it's always the opposite of the way I need to go.  I was tired on the way home and I ended up running a red light.  Luckily it was 3 in the morning and there was no traffic and, even better, there was no cop there.  I had forgot that D.C. has their traffic signals on poles on the side of the road kind of like lamp posts.  In Maryland they hang the signals on lines that run across the road so the signals are directly over your lane.  I know Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio hang there lights the same way over the lanes.  How are signals hung in your state?

-Jessie

Visual Aids:

Maryland




D.C.

A lot of high-population density areas do that.  Parts of Atlanta are like that as well as New York and Miami.

I work in DC and driving in unfamiliar areas is a true nightmare sometimes.  I tend to stick to my neighborhood where I know what to expect.  The worst is when one-way roads change direction with the hour of the day.  The only reason there aren't more accidents is that everyone is crawling too slowly in the eternal gridlock to actually hit anyone with force.

You already said that PA has lights hung up on lines above the road, but I figured I'd mention that in Pittsburgh I do on occasion see lights hung up on poles like your describing as well. Usually in smaller crappier neighborhoods,  but they're still there.

The ones that drive me nuts are the ones that are mounted on a pole on the side of the road, pointing in no random direction, changing colors independantly of the normal lights that are actually hanging from the wires above traffice. I'm not referring to the pedestrian crossing signal, sometimes there's just another traffic light there. I'm sure someone knows what it's purpose is.

Quote from: tt_four on December 14, 2009, 07:31:50 AM
You already said that PA has lights hung up on lines above the road, but I figured I'd mention that in Pittsburgh I do on occasion see lights hung up on poles like your describing as well. Usually in smaller crappier neighborhoods,  but they're still there.

Coraopolis has a few, and Sto's got quite a few as well.  I've seen them in other parts of Pittsburgh too; I'm definitely not a fan. 

I'm gonna say that in general, the traffic signals in most of NY are hanging from cables (at least western NY).  There are the exceptions of course, but most of them are either suspended on cables or on poles that are extended over the intersection.

Quote from: PaviSays on December 14, 2009, 06:36:56 PM

Coraopolis has a few, and Sto's got quite a few as well.  I've seen them in other parts of Pittsburgh too; I'm definitely not a fan. 

I think when I said it I was thinking about Millvale. haha

If you have to drive in the traffic cesspit that is DC, get the Alexandria Drafting Company atlas that covers the cesspit. One-way roads marked. Exits you can get off but not on (or vice versa) on freeways marked. I gave mine to a native who desperately needed one (despite living there for ~30 years) after my 4-month stint learning that I don't like big cities, the south (as viewed from up nawth - I'm sure it looks nawth when viewed from the south), or working for the gubbmint. It allowed me to navigate the cesspit successfully.

I suppose the modern approach is to get a GPS, but having seen the various computer mapping services give directions using roads that have been closed for 40 years around here, I have low confidence in that option.

Last red-light-running experience I remember was somewhere in Georgia, just off I-95. Was basically impossible ('twas a dark and rainy night) to pick the traffic light out of the background glare of motel/restaurant/gas-station lighting - not a well designed interchange. I was through it before I knew there was one, and I was not traveling fast.

Wait D.C. has roads?  I just do what any sane person does and always go in on the metro, and yes wheeling amp stacks is more sane than driving in...

But anyway to answer your question.  In Maryland there aren't any traffic signals.  Everyone is sensible and polite and the traffic is light enough that lights aren't necessary.

And see now you have to say what band you have and what genre.  My guess is a Miley Cyrus cover band.

Quote from: PachmanP on December 14, 2009, 08:52:24 PM
In Maryland there aren't any traffic signals.  Everyone is sensible and polite and the traffic is light enough that lights aren't necessary.

Maryland doesn't have signals because they might block the view of the speed cameras.  Freakin' money-grabbing state.

Quote from: PachmanP on December 14, 2009, 08:52:24 PM

And see now you have to say what band you have and what genre.  My guess is a Miley Cyrus cover band.

We can tear up some Party in the USA     We just got together a few months ago so this was our first show.  Other than me forgetting how to work the PA system it went well.  There's some poorly recorded cover songs here:  http://www.myspace.com/therealquaidband

-Jessie

Quote from: vtlion on December 15, 2009, 06:40:28 AM
Maryland doesn't have signals because they might block the view of the speed cameras.  Freakin' money-grabbing state.

You just have to not go more than 12 over in construction zones.  That said I think they're pretty BS.  Although doesn't VA have like ridiculously high speeding fines?